FY 2008 Municipal Sustainability Grant

FY 2008 Municipal Sustainability Grant

Instructions and Item

Descriptions

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Department of Environmental Protection

The FY2008 Municipal Sustainability Grant application (formerly the Waste Reduction and Climate Protection Application), has been issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). This application provides municipalities, schools and regional groups with the means to qualify for equipment, outreach materials and funds to support waste reduction, water conservation, climate protection, mercury diversion and air quality initiatives at the local level.

MassDEP awards Sustainability Grants both on the basis of the municipality's ability to use the grant productively, and on the municipality's need for the grant. On the basis of this application, MassDEP may either grant requested items or assistance immediately, hold your application for competitive consideration, or ask you to provide further evidence of your need and ability to use the materials. Important details on the submission of the grant application are described below.

1. If submitted in hard copy, the application must be signed by a municipal official with authority to apply for grants on behalf of the municipality. If submitted electronically, via eDEP’s online filing system, the application must be submitted by a paid employee of the municipality or regional group.

1. Unless otherwise noted, all information should pertain to programs that the municipality has a role in contracting or operating.

1. Applicants should provide information as accurately as possible. Please qualify answers with additional comments whenever appropriate.

1. Applications can be submitted one of two ways:

a.  On-line up at https://edep.dep.mass.gov/DEPHome.aspx OR

b.  Written applications must be sent to the following address (facsimile transmissions will not be accepted):

Municipal Grants
MassDEP, Consumer Programs
One Winter Street, 6th Floor
Boston, MA 02108

5.  Municipalities must have a Municipal Buy Recycled Policy and CY2006 Recycling Data Sheet on file at MassDEP or submit them by the application deadline. For questions on the CY2006 Recycling Data Sheet please contact Alissa Bilfield at (617) 574-6820. For information on Buy Recycled Policies please contact John Crisley at (617) 556-1021.

6.  Application Deadline: September 14, 2007:

The final deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. on September 14, 2007 for written applications and 12 midnight for online applications. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

If you have questions about the grant application, please call John Crisley at (617) 556-1021

1. All awards are conditional pending signature of a grant agreement or contract between MassDEP and the applicant’s chief executive official or designee with the authority to sign state grant contracts.

Please consult the following Grant Item Descriptions for more information on the MassDEP FY2008 Municipal Sustainability Grant Program.

Grant Item Descriptions

The following equipment is being offered on the FY2008 Municipal Sustainability Grant Application. All items are also available for purchase by municipalities at the state contract prices.

PUBLIC AREA RECYCLING CONTAINERS – State Contract FAC 31

Application: MassDEP is offering 4 types of public area recycling containers for the collection of
deposit bottles and cans in public areas (e.g. parks, mass transit stations, etc.) and at special events:
/ Original Canables® are ideal for semi-permanent collection purposes such as seasonal public parks, recreational fields, and beaches, or indoor venues such as conference centers and sporting facilities. The containers are made of tough, galvanized steel for durability and fire resistance.
http://www.windsorbarrel.com/canables.htm
Vendor Contact Information: / Windsor Barrel – Philip Haas, President; Phone: 800-527-7848; Email:
/ Clear Canables® are designed for collecting recyclables at community events, indoor or outdoor festivals, and other short-term uses. Made of 100% recycled PET plastic, the walls and lids show the public how much is being recycled. Clear Canables® also address a concern for security issues since the clear walls make it more difficult to hide items inside
http://www.windsorbarrel.com/canables.htm
Vendor Contact Information: / Windsor Barrel – Philip Haas, President; Phone: 800-527-7848; Email:
/ Clusters® models are constructed of wood-like slats made of 100% post-consumer recycled plastic and are best suited for permanent downtown or main street collections. The framework is cast of post-industrial aluminum and stainless steel fasteners and are available with 1, 2 and 3 containers per Cluster®.
For more information visit:
http://www.windsorbarrel.com/clusters.htm
Vendor Contact Information: / Windsor Barrel – Philip Haas, President; Phone: 800-527-7848; Email:
/ MassCor’s outdoor public area recycling bins are primarily used for semi-permanent or permanent outdoor collections at parks and recreation fields. The containers are powder coated wire mesh steel containers measuring 18” x 18” x 36”
For more information visit:
http://www.masscor.us
Vendor Contact Information: / MassCor – Justin Latini, Deputy Director of Marketing & Sales; Phone: 508-668-8182 x219 Email:

WHEELED RECYCLING CARTS- CHANGES IN FY08

Wheeled recycling carts are being offered through a technical assistance grant for NEW multi-family or municipally sponsored business recycling programs ONLY. Please see the section on technical assistance for further information. Wheeled carts are still available for purchase by municipalities and state agencies, through State Contract FAC 31.

CONSUMER EDUCATION MATERIALS

Customized consumer education materials are available in MassDEP’s format, to promote curbside or drop-off recycling programs. Grantees will provide MassDEP with specific information about its recycling program that will be used to design your education materials using MassDEP’s format. MassDEP’s vendor will print and mail these educational materials directly to the grantees’ residents. In addition each grantee is provided with a PDF file of its artwork for posting on the municipal web site. At the time of printing, municipalities wishing to print additional copies may do so through arrangements with the vendor, and at the municipality’s cost.

Standardized educational materials are available for promoting waste reduction and composting as described below. Municipalities will be responsible for distributing these materials to their residents. MassDEP will deliver all standardized materials to your municipal offices for distribution.

Waste Reduction bookmark- This bookmark outlines ways in which individuals can reduce the amount of waste they generate. Its size (2 ½” x 9”) allows for it to be distributed to residents as part of another mailing.

Junk Mail Reduction Kits- This kit contains information on how to reduce the flow of junk mail to residents, including postcards that residents can mail to have their name removed from mailing lists. MassDEP will provide kits for up to 10% of municipality’s households. Additional kits may be purchased from the printer.

Multi-family recycling door hangers- are available for distribution to building owners/property managers and are designed to enable users to add additional information specific to a building’s or community’s recycling program. A Springfield MRF version and a Spanish version of the door hangers are also available.

"Don't Trash Grass" brochures and “Home Composting” brochures promoting source reduction of yard waste and grass clippings are also available.

Municipal Waste Reduction Toolkit – This toolkit will assist recycling coordinators with promoting participation in various waste reduction programs. Examples of materials available include information on working with the media to promote programs, mandatory recycling enforcement campaign and more.

"PAY-AS-YOU-THROW" ASSISTANCE

MassDEP is offering grants to qualified municipalities that are instituting new “Pay-as-You-Throw” (PAYT) programs. Municipalities with established PAYT programs will not be eligible for grants.

Grant funds may be used to fund the costs of bags, stickers and other start-up costs of new PAYT programs as pre-approved by MassDEP. Grantees may receive up to $4/participating household for these costs. MassDEP will consider requests for both single family (up to 6 units) and multi-family housing (7+ units) programs. Awards over $20,000 may be disbursed to eligible municipalities over two fiscal years. Grants will be capped at $100,000 per municipality. Grant funding may not be used to pay for the disposal of solid waste or recyclables processing. Grantees will be required to submit quarterly reports to MassDEP during the grant period and a final report outlining program implementation and results.

Eligibility requirements: New PAYT programs must meet the following criteria:

·  Grantee is required to provide a detailed implementation plan and timeline for their PAYT program and written verification that the program has been approved and budgeted for by the appropriate decision-making body (Board of Health, Board of Selectmen, Town Meeting, City Council).

·  Grantees must commit to operating the PAYT program for a minimum of two years or more; at DEP’s discretion, the minimum program requirement may be larger, depending on the size of the award.

·  Grantees must set a solid waste fee structure that insures that fixed costs of solid waste collection will be covered substantially by the tax base or other funding source, and variable costs are covered by bag or stickers sales.

·  Grantees offering an annual allotment of bags or stickers to residents shall not exceed one bag or barrel per week/per household, nor a container in excess of 36 gallons.

·  Curbside municipalities must provide weekly collection of recyclables or provide a second or larger recycling bin (capacity equal to or greater than 32 gal).

·  Drop-off municipalities must adopt an ordinance or permit conditions requiring private subscription haulers to provide integrated solid waste and recycling services to their customers. (i.e., all customers receive recycling collection with trash collection.)

·  A municipality proposing a multi-family PAYT program will be required to approve an ordinance requiring multi-family property owner and resident participation.

·  For more information on starting a PAYT program, call Joseph Lambert at (617) 574-6875.

HOME COMPOSTING BINS – State Contract FAC 31

Two types of bins are offered, one in multiple sizes. All bins are rodent resistant, have openings to allow efficient, aerobic composting, and require simple, no-tool assembly. They differ primarily in design and capacity, ranging from 101 to 30 cubic feet. Specifications for each bin type are summarized below. Communities may choose to make one or several types of bins available to residents.

Municipal Home Composting Bin Distribution: In order to maximize bin distribution, grantees must agree to sell the bins to the public at a discount, place the revenue into a dedicated account, and continue to reorder bins until the funds are depleted or public demand is met. MassDEP expects each grantee to distribute two bins for each bin awarded. For example, a town that is granted 200 bins may sell them to residents for half price (plus tax), put the revenue in a dedicated account, and use the money to order 100 more bins. Revenue from sales of the additional bins is used to purchase 50 more bins, and so on until the fund is depleted and a total of nearly 400 bins have been sold. Please contact Ann McGovern, at (617) 292-5834 for further information.

Compost Bins Vendors and Specifications:

Bin Name / New Age Composter, BIN-11
New Age Composter, BIN-24
New Age Composter, BIN-30
(formerly Brave New Composters) / Earth Machine
Vendor: / New England Plastics Corp.
126 Duchaine Blvd.
New Bedford, MA 02745
Contact: Trudy Wood
Phone: (508) 998-3111
FAX: (508) 995-8895 / Norseman Plastics Ltd.
39 Westmore Dr.
Rexdale, Ontario
Canada M9V 3Y6
Contact: Art McKenzie
Phone: (800) 894-8397x822
FAX: (905) 450-2009
Capacity / BIN-11: 11 cubic feet
BIN-24: 24 cubic feet
BIN-30: 30 cubic feet / 101 cubic feet
Shape/
Dimensions / Cylindrical
Diameter: adjustable from 26” to 44”
Height: BIN-11: 28”
BIN-24: 32”
BIN-30: 34” / Conical
Diameter: 30” at base, 18” at top
Height: 33”
Special features / Adjustable diameter;
Self-aerating via cone-shaped floor / Sliding door for compost removal
Recycled content / 50% post-consumer recycled HDPE / 50% post-consumer recycled HDPE
Color / Black / Black
Warranty / 10 year / 10 year
Bin Price
(through 9/30/07) / BIN-11: $39.00
BIN-24: $45.00
BIN-30: $50.00 / $32.35

KITCHEN SCRAP BUCKETS – State Contract FAC 31

Application: The application for kitchen scrap buckets may be found on the same page with home composting bins. Kitchen scrap buckets are designed as a household collection container for the temporary storage of kitchen food waste prior to being placed in the compost bin. Buckets are to be distributed in conjunction with an active or new home compost bin program. Grantees may give away or sell kitchen scrap buckets at cost or less. Revenue collected shall be used to order more buckets. MassDEP will provide a sticker with each bucket, listing the “Do’s and Don’ts” of food items to put in compost bins.
Vendor: / Norseman Plastics
Art McKenzie, (800) 894-8397x822, (905) 450-2009 (fax)
Available Colors / Standard color is beige; other colors quoted on request
Price / $7.00/unit
Capacity / 7-1/2 litre capacity
/ Additional notes:
360 degree double rim closure; Snap latch tightly secures lid to body; In-molded mounting bracket. Optional external mounting bracket available for additional $0.25 (not part of grant).
Shipping: 26 per box, 500 per pallet

HEALTHY LAWNS AND LANDSCAPES WORKSHOPS – CHANGES IN FY08

Healthy Lawn and Landscape Workshop grants have been removed from the grant application process. Workshops are still available to communities on limited basis. Contact Ann McGovern at 617-292-5834 to request a workshop. First consideration will be given to municipalities that have implemented or are working on municipal pesticide reduction policies. Priority will be given to communities with a track record of holding well-attended public events.

These workshops teach residents and landscapers how to manage lawns and landscapes without pesticides and chemical fertilizers. The workshop consists of a 2-hour Powerpoint presentation with photos and handouts. The focus is on increasing overall health of lawns and landscapes by building healthy soil and using best management practices that reduce or eliminate the need for pesticides, fertilizers and irrigation. Participating residents will receive a “pesticide-free” lawn sign and a chance to win a compost bin as a door prize.

MassDEP provides the speaker, laptop, projector, promotional materials, handouts and “pesticide-free” lawn signs for the workshop. Workshop hosts may invite local cable producers to video the presentation for cablecasting afterwards.